Top Ten Reasons for Cat/Dog Relinquishment

The Top Ten Reasons Given for Leaving Pets at Shelters in the
United States

Dogs

Moving

Landlord issues

Cost of pet maintenance

No time for pet

Inadequate facilities

Too many pets in home

Pet illness (es)

Personal problems

Biting

No homes for littermates

Cats

Too many in house

Allergies

Moving

Cost of pet maintenance

Landlord issues

No homes for littermates

House soiling

Personal problems

Inadequate facilities

Doesn't get along with other pets

Data collected and reprinted with permission by the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy. 10/8/04. www.petpopulation.org.

Remember, adding a companion animal to the household means making a lifelong commitment, so choose the pet that suits your lifestyle. Thinking before adopting will save the animal from being returned to the shelter. Educating yourself and your family about the pet before adopting will help to assure a long and satisfying life together.